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Standard for provision of multi-media services
Following is a question by the Hon Miriam Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Recreation and Culture, Mr Chau Tak-hay, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
It is learnt that the Recreation and Culture Branch is working jointly with the Telecommunications Authority to draw up a set of standards for the provision of multi-media services. In this regard, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the reasons why the responsibility for setting standards for the provision of multi-media services should come within the purview of the Recreation and Culture Branch, instead of the Economic Services Branch which has the policy responsibility for telecommunications matters; and
(b) whether the Government will set up an inter-departmental working group to study matters in relation to the setting of standards for multi-media services; if not, what measures will be taken to ensure that the promotion of multi-media services is in keeping with the development of the telecommunications industry?
Reply:
The transmission of multi-media services over telecommunications networks is a telecommunications service and as such is regulated by the Telecommunications Authority, for which the Economic Services Branch has policy responsibility. However, the Recreation and Culture Branch has an interest in respect of the content of those multi-media services which offer programming similar to broadcast services. Developments in multi-media services, and the extent to which regulation is required, are already the subject of discussion in an inter-departmental working group, and policy proposals will be submitted to the Executive Council in due course.
End/Wednesday, November 22, 1995